How The Gut Microbiome Impacts Our Body
You could get me talking for hours on how important gut health is for overall wellness. Focusing on my gut health was a key factor in putting my rheumatoid arthritis into remission.
Recently I have seen gut health gaining a lot of traction in the health and wellness community. Rightfully so, the gut and the body have an intricate relationship that is extremely crucial to our overall well-being.
So let’s dive in shall we?
Understanding the Gut Microbiome
Our gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, collectively known as the gut microbiome. These microbes play a very important role in digesting our food, absorbing our nutrients, and protecting us against pathogens. A balanced gut microbiome is essential for maintaining overall health. These bacteria are our little besties. They actually want a symbiotic relationship where they will give us good if we give them good. They are working hard in there not only helping to create energy for our day but producing hormones and holding up our immune system.
Gut Health and Immunity
Did you know that approximately 70% of our immune system resides in the gut? 70%!! The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is a key component of the immune system. It helps in recognizing and fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses and communicating with the body that there are invaders. A healthy gut microbiome supports this process by promoting a balanced immune response, reducing inflammation, and preventing infections. You can imagine the negative effects of a poor gut microbiome on the immune system.
Gut Health and Mental Well-being
The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the brain. Your gut and your brain are constantly chatting and giving feedback to one another. This connection explains why our gut health can significantly impact our mental health. The gut microbiome produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for regulating mood and cognitive function. An imbalance in gut bacteria has been linked to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and even cognitive decline.
Gut Health and Digestion
As I am sure you already know, one of the primary roles of the gut is digestion. A healthy gut ensures efficient digestion and nutrient absorption. Maintaining a healthy gut can prevent digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Making sure that you are maintiaining a health gut is essential for keeping up energy levels and overall vitality.
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Gut
Eat a Balanced Diet: Incorporate a variety of fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods into your diet to nourish your gut bacteria. This is all about nourishing your body and providing it with the best form of nutrients. Remember, you are like a car giving it fuel. If you give your body poor fuel / wrong fuel, it is not going to run effectively.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to support digestion and nutrient absorption. Water is the key to getting the toxins out of the body and flushing it through. Without water, your body would be like toilet without any water … you can’t flush that.
Manage Stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact your gut health. Practice stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Make some you time. Read a book before bed, do some self care, and really just be in the moment.
Get Enough Sleep: Sleep is the time that we go into the deepest form of restoration. By getting in the hours you allow your gut to heal during this time as well.
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity promotes healthy digestion and a balanced microbiome. Movement is the key to the movement of food through our bowels. We need to get that waste out so it is not just sitting in your body.
Your gut health is intricately linked to so many parts of our overall well-being, from immunity and mental health to digestion and energy levels. By understanding and nurturing our gut, we can improve our overall health and quality of life. Remember, a healthy gut is a foundation for a healthy body and mind.
I have been on both sides of this gut health journey. My gut health was a DISASTER only a few years ago. Years of eating gluten as a celiac, being a stress head and just feeding my body junk absolutely destroyed the walls of my intestines and led to pretty significant leaky gut. I had bacterial overgrowth, damaged gut lining, acid reflux… you name it. The imbalance was a large factor in the development of my rheumatoid arthritis as my immune system was going completely haywire and attacking my body.
Through finding the imbalances, I was able to address them and make the changes necessary to rebalance. And what a different life it is now. 7 years in remission and no sign of inflammation.
For more personalised advice on maintaining your gut health, consider a free consultation where we can go over ways that I can help you get into balance and maintain this vital area of health.
